Electric Plug-ins? (Minneapolis, Bemidji: apartment complex, buy, maintenance)

[xz2y]

Hi,
With the cold weather hitting the middle of the country, I was thinking about whether most of you have electric heaters installed in your engines for plugging in overnight, etc., if you have a garage. I lived in Minneapolis in the mid-1970's and everyone seemed to have these. Is it still necessary?

[BarbaraMN]

When we first moved here in '99 I remember seeing a few cars here and there with cords hanging out of them to plug-in during cold--haven't seen that in a long time. I think newer cars are just better equipped to handle the cold (or I've just been lucky!).

-Barbara

[TimtheGuy]

Don't need them anymore. The F-150 was moaning, groaning and turning over slowly this morning (I park outside), but it fired up no problem.

[xz2y]

I doubt I'll be getting an F-150 when I buy my new car before moving to Mpls this summer . I was thinking more in terms of a small Honda (Civic or Fit). I hope it will start after sitting out all night in subzero temps. Maybe I can find a nice apartment complex with covered parking, though that won't help with the cold!

[moving123456]

It seems that they are really not needed as much anymore. Your engine might turn over slower than normal, but it should still start. My little 2001 Mitsubishi with a 4 cylinder engine has always started.

[TimtheGuy]

Originally Posted by xz2y

I doubt I'll be getting an F-150 when I buy my new car before moving to Mpls this summer . I was thinking more in terms of a small Honda (Civic or Fit). I hope it will start after sitting out all night in subzero temps. Maybe I can find a nice apartment complex with covered parking, though that won't help with the cold!

If you keep your vehicle in a generally good state of repair/maintenance you will be fine. If you battery sounds a little weak when it's not winter get a new high quality one before winter.

[JenLee]

Originally Posted by TimtheGuy

If you keep your vehicle in a generally good state of repair/maintenance you will be fine. If you battery sounds a little weak when it's not winter get a new high quality one before winter.

I hardly ever see plug-in cords for headbolt heaters here in The Cities anymore. I don't see them very often even when I go "Up North" these days. I'd agree with TimtheGuy: keep your car well-maintained and having a decent battery and you probably won't have problems with your car in MN winters now-a-days.

I got a new battery this fall once I realized that my old battery was over 5 years old. My car sits outside all of the time; it started right up without a problem but was a bit slow warming up yesterday morning (but it was also about -15F).

[earthwar]

They are still used especially on diesel engines. Fuel injection is the main reason they aren't used as much as they used to be. If you do have one, using it is good for your engine. It keeps the oil warm and its good for your starter. When its real cold out your oil is like cold syrup and no parts are getting proper lubrication for a couple minutes. Eventually you end up with a weak engine. EW

[golfgal]

Our first car was a Toyota Corolla, 1989 (which is still on the road and going strong). It sat outside most of it's life with us and never had a problem starting, including our many trips to Bemidji. One winter we were up there, the AIR temp was -45° and it started just fine after sitting outside all night.

[earthwar]

Maybe the manufacturers put the heaters with a cord hanging out for looks. EW